Electrical and mechanical properties of soil at rubber plantation in West Anjir Serapat, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract

Rubber plantations can grow optimally when it is planted at the precisely of the altitude and latitude, in addition soil of rubber plantation also has unique characteristics. Typical soil characteristics are caused by the physical properties of the soil. This study aims to examine the electrical and mechanical properties of soil in rubber plantations at West Anjir Serapat Village, in Central Kalimantan Indonesia. The soil samples were collected by using Hand Auger drill with 4cm diameter along 450cm. Measurement of electrical properties and water content using EM50 with sensor 5TE per cm and mechanical properties using sieve analysis. Both of these parameters were analyzed to the depth. The results showed there were two distinct electrical properties layers. The upper layer to 197 cm associated with clay soil have the high conductivity layer (2.52 - 1.48 dS/m) and up to 197 cm associated with silty clay soil have the low conductivity layer (1,33-0,16 dS/m). The mechanical properties supported the electrical properties showed there were two soil layers.